Just how much have the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers lit up the scoreboard in their best-of-7 conference semifinals series? The 23 combined goals that the Alberta rivals tallied in their first two games in Calgary exceeded the combined goal total from the first two games of the other three conference semifinal series: Panthers-Lightning, Hurricanes-Rangers and Avalanche-Blues put up a total of 21 goals in their first two contests.
So it comes as no surprise that bookmakers earlier today moved the total for Game 3 of Flames-Oilers from 6.5 to 7 in the NHL playoff odds market. It’s also no surprise that the price adjustment hasn’t stopped bettors from continuing to hammer the Over like they already know the final result.
More surprising: Calgary is a solid favorite in Game 3, even though the series is tied 1-1 after the Flames blew a pair of two-goal leads in Game 2 on Friday — and even though the scene has shifted west to Edmonton.
Props.com breaks down NHL playoff odds and action pivotal Flames vs Oilers Game 3 clash, which wraps up Sunday’s tripleheader on the ice.
Odds via DraftKings and BetMGM and updated as of 5:30 p.m. ET on May 22.
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Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers (Game 3)
Puck Drop/TV: 8 p.m. ET/ESPN 2
Moneyline: Flames -120/Oilers +100
Puckline: Flames (-1.5) +185/Oilers (+1.5) -225
Total: 7 (Over +100/Under -120)
Best-of-7 series: Tied, 1-1.
Series odds: Calgary -165/Edmonton +145
Game 2 recap: The Oilers rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1, scoring the final four goals for a 5-3 victory. Edmonton also overcame deficits of 3-0 and 6-2 in Game 1, but ultimately fell 9-6 in the NHL’s highest scoring playoff game since 1993. The Oilers cashed as a consensus +140 underdog in Game 2, with the contest once again easily flying Over the 6.5 goal total.
Slap Shots
Flames: Calgary has scored 12 goals in two games against the Oilers, after producing just 15 goals in its seven-game opening-round series against Dallas. … The Flames are just 5-6 (one OT loss) in their last 11 games (5-4 in the playoffs). Six of the last seven contests have been decided by multiple goals. … Calgary is 1-4 (one OT loss) in its last five road games. … Prior to Game 2, the home team had won six consecutive games in this rivalry. The Flames are 0-3 in their last three trips to Edmonton, getting outscored 14-6. … This year’s Battle for Alberta is now tied 3-3. The past nine meetings have been decided by 2+ goals.
Oilers: Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid followed up his four-point performance in Game 1 with a goal and an assist in Game 2. He continues to lead the NHL in assists (14) and points (20) in the postseason. … The Oilers are 19-5-1 in their last 25 games overall (5-4 in the playoffs). They went 13-0-1 in their final 14 regular-season home games, but just 2-2 against the Kings in the first round. … Seven of Edmonton’s last eight contests — including four in a row — have been decided by multiple goals.
From the Penalty Box
Calgary and Edmonton have put up 23 goals in two games, but only three on the power play. The teams are a combined 3-for-19 with a man advantage. The Oilers still have the fourth-best power play in the playoffs (8-for-29, 27.6%), and they rank sixth on the penalty kill (27-for-32). The Flames are 13th on the power play (4-for-32), but second on the kill. They have allowed just three power-play goals in 32 chances this postseason.
Betting Nuggets
- Both Calgary and Edmonton are 2-5 in their last seven conference semifinal games
- Calgary is 1-4 in its last five games as a road favorite
- Edmonton is 7-15 in its last 22 as an underdog
- Over is 3-0-1 in Calgary’s last four overall
- Favorite is 5-2 in the last seven Oilers-Flames battles
- Edmonton is 6-1 in its last seven home games vs Calgary
- Over is 4-1 in six head-to-head meetings this season
Prediction: Edmonton 6, Calgary 4
Flames vs Oilers Playoff Odds and Action
UPDATED 5:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: DraftKings still has Game 3 priced at Flames -120/Oilers +100 about 2 1/2 hours before puck drop in Edmonton. As of midday ET, tickets (51%) and money (61%) favored the home underdog Oilers.
The puckline odds continue to move toward Calgary, with Flames -1.5 goals now +185 after opening +205. The Oilers +1.5 goals is down to -225 from an opener of -250. Betting action is split at DraftKings, with 72% of the puckline wagers on Edmonton +1.5 and 62% of the puckline cash on Calgary -1.5.
The total, which rose from 6.5 to 7 early this morning, is holding at 7/Under -120. DraftKings bettors are all over the Over, to the tune of 71% wagers/96% cash.
UPDATED 11:40 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Calgary remains a -120 road favorite for Game 3 on DraftKings’ NHL playoff odds board, with Edmonton at +100.
The puckline has moved in the Flames’ favor since opening Calgary (-1.5) +205/Edmonton (+1.5) -250. It first shifted to Calgary +195/Edmonton -240 and is now Calgary +185/Edmonton -225.
Early this morning, DraftKings boosted the total from 6.5/Over -140 to 7/Under -135. The price is now 7/Under -120.
UPDATED 1:20 P.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings installed the Flames as a -125 road favorite on its Sunday NHL playoff odds board in the wee hours this morning, with Edmonton at +105. The Game 3 moneyline has since dipped to the current price of Flames -120/Oilers +100 on two-way action of 56% bets/52% money on Calgary.
The puckline has adjusted slightly from Calgary (-1.5) +205/Edmonton (+1.5) -250 to Calgary +195/Edmonton -240. As with the moneyline, action on the puckline at DraftKings is split, with 83% of all wagers on the Oilers and 67% of all dollars on the Flames. The total is pinned to 6.5 (Over -130), a slight adjustment from the opener of 6.5 (Over -135). Almost every dollar in the early going is on the Over (98%), while ticket count (58%) is modestly to the Over.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning (Game 3)
Puck Drop/TV: 1:30 p.m. ET/TNT
Moneyline: Panthers -115/Lightning -105
Puckline: Panthers -1.5 (+200)/Lightning +1.5 (-250)
Total: 6.5 (Over +100/Under -120)
Best-of-7 series: Tampa Bay leads, 2-0.
Updated series odds: Tampa Bay -375/Florida +290
Game 2 recap: The Lightning followed up their 4-1 victory in Game 1 with a stunning, last-second 2-1 triumph Thursday. With the game tied 1-1 and seemingly heading to overtime, Tampa Bay center Ross Colton took a no-look, between-the-legs, behind-the-cage pass from Nikita Kucherov and pounded it into the net with 3.6 seconds remaining. The Lightning cashed as a consensus +145 underdog, and the contest fell way short of the 6.5-goal total. The Under is now 2-0 in the series.
Slap Shots
Panthers: Florida is now 4-4 in the playoffs and 5-7 overall since a 13-game winning streak from March 29-April 23. … The Panthers, who were the highest-scoring team in the regular season (4.11 goals per game), are averaging 2.75 goals through eight playoff games. … Prior to this series, Florida had not been held to one or fewer goals in consecutive games all season. … The Panthers have lost three straight games just once since mid-December (Feb. 22-26, all at home). … Florida won the final two road games in its opening-round series against the Capitals (both in overtime). Going back to the regular season, the Panthers are 11-4 in their last 15 as a visitor.
Lightning: Tampa Bay has won four in a row and is 14-5 in its last 19 games dating to the regular season (6-3 in the playoffs). The Lightning also are 8-2 in their last 10 at home, scoring at least four goals in seven of those victories. … Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has stopped 68 of 70 shots in the series (35 of 36 in Game 2). He’s yielded exactly one goal in each of the last three games, after giving up 23 goals in Tampa’s first five games against Toronto in the opening round. … The Lightning have scored first in six straight games. … Tampa Bay has won the first two games without center Brayden Point. Point (28 goals, 30 assists in the regular season) remains questionable with a lower-body injury. … Tampa Bay is now 4-2 against the Panthers this season. Each team has scored 21 goals.
From the Penalty Box
The Panthers failed to score on all four power-play chances in Game 2. They’re now 0-for-25 with a man advantage this postseason, after having the fifth-most-prolific power play in the regular season. Florida has allowed a playoff-high 11 power-play goals. Its 66.67% penalty-kill rate is third-worst in the postseason.
The Lightning went 1-for-2 on the power play in Game 2, improving to 11-for-41 in the playoffs (3-for-6 in the series). Those 11 power-play goals lead all teams in the postseason. Tampa Bay ranks fourth on the penalty kill (four goals allowed in 35 chances, 88.57%).
Betting Nuggets
- Florida is still 44-17 in its last 61 overall
- Tampa Bay is 26-5 in its last 30 conference semifinal games
- Under is 11-5-4 in Florida’s last 20 overall
- Over is 13-5 in Tampa Bay’s last 18 overall
- Over is 8-1 in Tampa Bay’s last nine home games
- Tampa Bay is 21-8 in its last 29 home clashes vs Florida
- Favorite is 23-9 in the last 32 Lightning-Panthers meetings
- Under is 6-2 in the last eight series meetings
Game 3 prediction: Lightning 5, Panthers 3
Panthers vs Lightning Odds and Action
UPDATED 12:20 P.M. ET SUNDAY: About 90 minutes prior to puck drop, the visiting Panthers are -115 favorite on BetMGM’s Game 3 NHL playoff odds board. Tampa Bay is priced at -105 on the moneyline. BetMGM initially opened this contest as a pick ’em (-110 both ways) before moving Florida to a slight favorite about 10 p.m. ET Saturday. The action is split, with 61% of the wagers on the host Lightning and 57% of the cash on the Panthers.
The puckline hasn’t budged from the opener of Panthers (-1.5) +200/Lightning (+1.5) -250. Tampa Bay is drawing a modest majority of the puckline action at 54% tickets/60% cash.
There’s total is sitting at the opening number of 6.5, though the juice as moved from Under -115 to -110 both ways to the current price of Under -120. In concert with that move, 71% of the tickets and 68% of the cash is on the Under at BetMGM.
UPDATED 1:20 P.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings opened Game 3 of this series at -110 both ways on its NHL playoff odds board. Except for a very brief move to Lightning -115/Panthers -105, the moneyline has held firm at pick ’em. Early action at DraftKings is split, with 62% of the bets on Tampa Bay and 65% of the cash on Florida.
The puckline has shifted slightly from Panthers (-1.5) +125/Lightning (+1.5) -265 to Panthers +200/Lightning -250. There’s two-way action here as well, with 86% of all puckline bets on the home team and 68% of the money on the visitors.
The total opened and remains at 6.5, though the juice has moved from Under -115 to Under -120. Once again, early opinions in DraftKings’ NHL playoff odds market are split, as 79% of the wagers are on the Under, while 66% of the money is on the Over.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers (Game 3)
Puck Drop/TV: 8 p.m. ET/ESPN
Moneyline: Hurricanes -110/Rangers -110
Puckline: Hurricanes (-1.5) +215/Rangers (+1.5) -265
Total: 5.5 (Over +120/Under -140)
Best-of-7 series: Carolina leads, 2-0.
Series odds: Carolina -800/New York +550
Game 2 recap: The Hurricanes broke a scoreless tie with a little more than four minutes remaining in the second period, then tacked on an empty-net goal with 1.8 seconds to play to escape with a 2-0 home win. Carolina prevailed as a consensus -170 favorite, and Under 5.5 goals easily cashed. Both games in the series have fallen well short of the total.
Slap Shots
Hurricanes: The Hurricanes (6-3 playoffs) have tallied the last four goals in the series since New York scored a first-period goal in Game 1. … Carolina is 6-0 at home in the playoffs, outscoring opponents 22-7. However, the Canes are 0-3 on the road (all in Boston), having been outscored 14-6. … Carolina is 12-3 in its last 15 games dating to April 18. … The Hurricanes won five of their final six road games in the regular season. That includes two victories at Madison Square Garden (4-2 on April 12; 5-2 on April 24). Carolina is now 5-1 against the Rangers this season, with an 18-11 goals advantage.
Rangers: New York is 4-5 in the postseason, but 3-1 at home. The host has won seven of the team’s last eight contests. … Although the Rangers have been held to just a single goal in this series, they’ve tallied at least three goals in nine consecutive games at the Garden dating to the regular season. That includes 17 goals in the opening round against Pittsburgh. … Seven of New York’s last eight games have been decided by 2+ goals. The lone exception was Carolina’s 2-1 overtime win in Game 1. … Goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who had a rough start to the playoffs against Pittsburgh, has stopped 144 of the last 156 shots he’s faced (47 of 50 vs. Carolina).
From the Penalty Box
The teams combined to go 0-for-7 on the power play in Game 2 after going 0-for-2 in Game 1. New York is now 6-for-24 on the power play (7th in the playoffs), while Carolina is 5-for-40 (14th). The Hurricanes — whose 88% penalty kill led the NHL in the regular season and was one of the best in league history — have killed 28 of 34 penalties in the playoffs (8th). The Rangers have killed 21 of 27 (10th).
Betting Nuggets
- New York is 4-11 in its last 15 playoff games
- New York is 6-2 in its last eight as a home underdog
- Carolina is 17-4 in its last 21 conference semifinal contests (7-0 last seven)
- Carolina is 4-0 in its last four as a road favorite
- Over for New York is on runs of 7-2 overall and 4-0 at home
- Over for Carolina is on streaks of 8-3-1 overall and 19-6-2 on the road
- Under is 8-3-3 in Carolina’s last 14 conference semifinal games
- Under is 10-4-3 in New York’s last 17 conference semifinal games
- Favorite is 7-2 in the last nine Rangers-Hurricanes meetings
- New York is 27-9-1 in its last 37 home games vs Carolina
- Over is 7-3-2 in the last 12 meetings in New York
Game 3 prediction: Hurricanes 3, Rangers 1
Hurricanes vs Rangers Odds and Action
UPDATED 1:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Two hours pre-puck drop, Game 3 is a -110 pick ’em on DraftKings’ Sunday NHL playoff odds board. The matchup opened late Friday night at Carolina -115/New York -105 and stuck there until the past hour, when it dipped to the current pick ’em.
Underdog New York (-105) is netting 60% of moneyline bets and 76% of moneyline dollars. And although the Rangers are juiced to -265 on the puckline (+1.5), they’re attracting 79% of bets/60% of cash in that market.
The total opened at 5.5 (Under -135), saw the juice adjust to Under -140, then this morning dropped to 5 (Over -140). It’s now back at 5.5 (Under -140), with 54% of bets on the Under and 74% of cash is actually on the Over.
UPDATED 1:20 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Carolina hit DraftKings’ NHL playoff odds board late Friday as a -115 favorite for Game 3, and that number is unchanged. There’s two-way early action on the moneyline, as 53% of the wagers are on the home team and 69% of the cash is on the visitors.
The puckline adjusted from Hurricanes (-1.5) +210/Rangers (+1.5) -265 to Hurricanes +215/Rangers -265. New York is taking 80% of puckline bets and 63% of dough. The total opened 5. (Under -135) and is now 5.5 (Under -140). The action is split significantly, with 74% of the bets on the Under, but 86% of the money on the Over.
